Stand for hanging canvas



Nov. 19, 1940. J. L. KROEGER ETAL STAND FOR HANGING CANVAS Filed Aug. 28, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS JOSEPH L. KPOEGER 0 F 0 M fm T.. M! U! MW No'v.19',194o. J, gE HAL 2,222,078

STAND FOR HANGING CANVAS Filed Aug. 28, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2' it 39 -"rg r a figm- INVENTORS JOSEPH L. Kposazr? FY 9-7... I 5 \iu lLLlAg T. GoFF J ATTORNEYS Patented Nov. 19, 1940 UNITE STATES ATET FHQE Joseph L. Kroeger and William T. Goff, St. Louis, Mo.

Application August 28, 1939, Serial No. 292,298

8 Claims.

This invention relates, generally, to an apparatus for supporting wall coverings during the process of their application, and particularly to an apparatus for facilitating the hanging of canvas, muslin, burlap and the like on ceilings.

In the hanging of wall coverings of the fabric type, such as canvas, muslin, and burlap, the excessive weight of the material, together with the complications arising from the fact that standard widths of such fabric wall coverings are from four to six feet, has heretofore made it necessary to employ at least two workmen for applying such fabric wall covering to ceilings. This distinguishes from the practice in the hanging of the lighter coverings, such as wallpaper, where due to the lightness andto the fact that the standard strips are comparatively narrow, it is not only convenient but quite easy for one workman to apply the material.

In the hanging of the fabric wall coverings of the character referred to, however, the canvas, after being cut, trimmed and pasted, is folded into a condition so that it may be readily held and unfolded by one workman. The workman holding the canvas near the ceiling is followed on the scaffold by a second Workman, who pastes the canvas on the ceiling. In a slightly different method, the canvas is cut, trimmed and rolled upon a stick. The paste is applied to the ceiling, and the canvas unrolled on the ceiling by one workman, while another follows him and brushes the dry canvas on the pasted ceiling. In either event, two workmen have heretofore been required; one holding the canvas free of, but adjacent to, the ceiling, in position so that the other may apply it.

The present invention provides an apparatus for dispensing with the services of one workman in hanging fabric wall covering, such as canvas, muslin, and burlap, upon ceilings.

The object of the present invention, generally stated, is to provide a supporting device for maintaining canvas in position adjacent a ceiling, so that it may be readily applied; such device being readily manipulable without interfering with the operation of applying the canvas.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide a movable supporting device, constructed and arranged to move ahead of the workman applying canvas to a ceiling.

Other objects will become apparent to those skilled in the art when the following description is read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a View inside elevation, showing the operation of applying canvas on a ceiling in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective View of the supporting device of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a detail view showing the organiza- 5 tion at the top of the device shown in Figure 2, and showing a modified form or roller from that appearing in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a detail view in end elevation showing the lower end of the device shown in Hg- 10 ure 2.

Figure 5 is a sectional View taken along line 5--ii of Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken along line lit of Figure 2, and illustrating the extensible 15 connection between respective sections of the device.

Figure 7 is a sectional VlW taken along line 'l--l of Figure l. a

In accordance with the present invention, generally stated, a supporting device is provided for maintaining a cut strip of canvas in position adjacent a ceiling, so that it may be readily applied by a workman.

The present invention particularly contemplates that the supporting device be constructed, arranged, and mounted for movement in a predetermined line of travel, as the operation of applying canvas proceeds from one side of a room toward the other. In accordance with the pres- 30 cut invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, the supporting device is provided with a guide structure to operate along a way. The way may be any suitable track or scaffold, but as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, consists of the conventional plank employed by painters and decorators. The present invention provides a device which is readily movable along the way by foot pressure of the workman. The device permits of adjustment to different widths of ways, and provides for adjustment in elevation, as Well as transversely, in order to facilitate alignment of the canvas and the supporting and guiding structure with the ceiling upon which it is to be applied.

Referring now to the drawings for an illustrative embodiment of the invention, a scaffold is provided having a plank l supported at either end by horses 2. The plank l is arranged to provide a walk-way for the workman, and in accordance with the usual practice, is elevated above the fioor for a distance suificient to permit the workman to carry out his operations with convenience. Mounted upon plank l is a movable slide 3, the specific construction of which will be here- 55 inafter described more in detail. Mounted upon slide 3 is a standard 4 which is preferably extensible vertically, so that depending upon whether the workman is tall or short, the device may be correspondingly extended or retracted in order that the scaffold may at all times be adjusted above the floor to suit the convenience of the workman. Upon the upper end of extensible standard 4 is a rack 5, arranged to support cut and folded canvas 6, which is ready for application to the wall. Elevated above rack 5 is a roller I, arranged to maintain the canvas 6 substantially close, but not in contact with, the ceiling 8 as the operation of applying the canvas proceeds from right toward the left, as illustrated in Figure 1.

Any suitable arrangement for adjusting the height of standard 4 may be provided. In the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, a convenient form is represented. In the illustrated embodiment, the standard 4 is composed of two telescoping sections of hollow tubing, 9 and H3. Near the upper end of tubing 9, a latch device, shown in detail in Figure 6, is mounted. A series of holes II is provided in one side of the upper piece of tubing I0, so that when one of the holes I I is aligned with tongue I2, the latter extends into the hole and locks tubing members 9 and If! in fixed position. The tongue I2 is mounted upon a lever I3, which is hingeably connected to tubing 9, and a spring I5 is provided to maintain the parts biased to the position shown in Figure 6. Application of slight pressure upon lever I3 above spring I5 is effective to withdraw tongue I2 from holes II, and permit relative longitudinal movement of tubing members 3 and I0. In order to facilitate extension of the tubing members, tongue I2 may be beveled as shown at I6. Such an arrangement of parts will permit tubing members 9 and ID to move longitudinally apart without separate manipulation of lever I3; but in order to collapse the parts, lever I3 must be manipulated.

Likewise, a suitable adjustable connection may be provided in order to permit rack 5 and roller I to be traversed laterally relative to standard 4 to a slight extent. Such an adjustable connection may be of a character comparable to that just described in connection with the extensible standard, or may be of any other suitable type. In the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, tubing member ID is provided at its upper extremity with a table II having diametrically opposed notches I8 and I3. Upon table ll, a swivel connection, supporting rack 5, roller 7 and their adjunct parts, is provided. Such a swivel connection may consist of a cooperating table member 20, having a finger 2I arranged to seat in either of slots I8 and I9. Depending from table 20 is a spindle 22 of circular section adapted to fit on the interior of tubing Iii, as clearly shown in Figure 7. Mounted immediately upon table 25 is a sleeve 23, having a latching device 24 of the character previously referred to. Sleeve 23 embraces frame member 25, and frame member 25 is provided with a series of holes 26 for engagement with latch 24, in order to provide some lateral adjustment of frame member 25 relative to sleeve 23. Frame member 25 is provided at its ends with a pair of arms 21, arranged to support roller I. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, arms 2! are bifurcated at their upper extremities, as shown at 28, for the reception of spindles 29 on roller I.

The device as shown in Figure 2 is adapted for standard four-foot widths of fabric wall covering; that is to say, the length of frame member 25 is slightly in excess of four feet. In order to adapt the device to handle greater widths of material, however, such as the not uncommon six-foot widths of canvas, a roller 10, shown in Figure 3, may be substituted for roller 1. Roller III is provided with overboard parts II and I2 and spindles 13, arranged for reception in bifurcations 2B; but in this instance the spindles are arranged inside the extremities of the roller.

The canvas supporting rack 5 may be suitably connected to frame member 25. Rack 5 consists of a metallic frame-work 30 of the desired size, having a web of fabric material 3|, such as canvas, supported therein in any suitable manner, as for instance through the expedient of rings and eyelets or lacing 32. It is especially advantageous to employ the fabric webbing for supporting canvas, in order to prevent fracturing, marring, or otherwise injuring the canvas before it is applied to the wall.

In order to provide for convenient handling of the device, frame 30 may be connected to frame member 25 through the medium of a series of hinges 33. Such hinges permit the parts to be more readily collapsed for handling, but it is to be understood that the connection between frame 30 and frame member 25 may be of any desired form, permanent or temporary.

In order to provide for guiding the device as the operation of applying canvas proceeds from one side of the room to the other, slide 3 is arranged to travel along a suitable track-way such as plank I. The slide 3 may consist of an upper member 34, having at each end thereof a pair of rollers such as 35 mounted interiorly and arranged to ride upon the upper surface of plank I; The slide is also provided with a lower plate 35, having at each end thereof a pair of rollers 31. The rollers 31 are mounted so as to engage the lower surface of plank I, as shown in Figure 4, but may be mounted so as to extend through apertures in plate 36, so as to be operative both inside and outside of lower plate 36.

Lower plate 36 is connected to upper member 34 through any suitable adjustment mechanism, such for example as a series of adjustable bolts 38. Such an arrangement adapts slide 3 to planks of different thicknesses. In order to provide for adjustment in accordance with the width of the plank upon which the device is used, an auxiliary abutment 39 may be provided. The abutment 39 consists of an angle bar having a pair of slots for the reception of bolts 46, extending through holes in the flange of upper member 34. With this arrangement, the abutment 39 may be adjusted to the desired position in accordance with the width of the plank upon which the device is used. It is apparent that a variety of different adjusting devices may be utilized for adapting the slide to planks or ways of various widths and thicknesses, and any arrangement of parts providing for such adjustments may of course be employed in lieu of the specific arrangement shown.

In order to facilitate movement of the apparatus along plank I by the workman while he is engaged in the operation of applying the canvas, slide 3 may be provided with a pair of upstanding kick-plates M at each end thereof.

In the operation of the device, the canvas, after being cut, pasted and folded in the usual manner, may be placed upon rack 5 and the free end thereof drawn over roller 1'. At this time the apparatus will be closer to the right wall of the room than is shown in Figure 1. The workman adjusts the elevation of the device so that roller l is close to, but not in contact with, the ceiling. The workman adjusts the position of frame member within sleeve 23 so that upon movement of the device across the room, the canvas will be paid out over roll 1 in the correct position. As the Workman proceeds to brush down the canvas, he approaches the supporting device, and continually moves the latter ahead of him. This may be accomplished by touching either of kick plates ll lightly with the foot, and does not necessitate the use of his hands.

When the entire strip of canvas has been applied to the ceiling, the apparatus will be adjacent the left hand wall shown in Figure 1. It may then be released by depression of lever it, so as to permit the apparatus to move out of the Way, and the application of the canvas continued up into the corner Thereupon the scaffold may be moved to the next parallel position, and if desired the upper frame work may be swiveled on standard l, in order to permit the operation to proceed in the opposite direction. This is accomplished by lifting frame member 25 relative to tubing member ID sufficiently to disengage finger H from slot [9; and when these parts are disengaged, frame member 25 with rack and roller 1 may be turned through 180 degrees on spindle 32, until finger 2| fits again in the opposite slot It.

From the foregoing description, it should be apparent that the present invention accomplishes its objects, and that an apparatus is provided for facilitating the application of fabric wall coverings, such as canvas, muslin and burlap, and making possible the application of such wall covering with but one workman. While in the foregoing description reference has repeatedly been made to the application of canvas, it is to be distinctly understood that such expression has been used merely for the purpose of illustration, and that the apparatus [is equally adaptable to the application of other fabric wall covering.

It is evident of course that many modifications in the specific arrangement of parts and the use of equivalent mechanical expedients, will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art as proper substitutes for the elements herein described for the purpose of illustration. It is to be distinctly understood, therefore, that the foregoing description of the embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, is given merely for the purpose of illustration, and that such modifications and variations as do not depart from the spirit of this invention are, although not specifically described herein, contemplated by and within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. A device of the kind described comprising a base member arranged to embrace a horizontally extending support for movement therealong, a standard extending upward from said base member and having at the upper end thereof a rack for supporting folded canvas, and a roll for maintaining the canvas elevated above the rack. I

2. A device of the kind described comprising a base member arranged to embrace a horizontally extending support for movement therealong, a standard extending upward from said base member and having at the upper end thereof a rack for supporting folded canvas, a revolving connection at the top of said standard, and a roll for maintaining the canvas elevated above the rack.

3. The combination With an elevated plank, of a slide embracing said plank, rollers on the interior of said slide for engaging said plank, a standard extending upwardly from said slide, a rack at the top of said standard and a roller arranged to guide canvas from said rack.

l. The combination with an elevated plank, of a base member mounted on said plank and movable therealong, means for holding said base member down upon the plank to prevent tipping, a standard extending upward from said base member and having at the upper end thereof a rack for supporting folded canvas, and a roll for maintaining the canvas elevated above the rack.

5. A device of the kind described, comprising, a base member arranged to ride upon a horizontally extending support, for movement therealong; a plate entending beneath the horizontally extending support; and adjustable means connecting said plate to said base member for varying the space therebetween; a standard extending up from said base member, and having at the upper end thereof an open rack for supporting folded canvas, and a roller horizontally displaced from the rack for maintaining the canvas elevated above the rack.

6. A device of the kind described, comprising, a base member arranged to ride upon a horizontally extending support for movement therealong, a plate extending beneath the horizontally extending support, and adjustable means connecting said plate to said base member for varying the space therebetween; an abutment associated with such base member for horizontal adjustment relative thereto, a standard extending up from said base member, and having at the upper end thereof an open rack for supporting folded canvas, and a roller horizontally displaced from the rack for maintaining the canvas elevated above the rack.

7. The combination with an elevated plank, of a slide mounted on said plank for movement therealong, a standard extending upwardly from said slide and having at its upper end a laterally offset rack for supporting folded canvas, and a part on said slide extending beneath said plank to prevent tipping and toppling of the device under the weight of canvas disposed on said rack.

8. The combination with an elevated plank, of a base member mounted on said plank for movement therealong, a standard extending upwardly from said slide and having a revolving connection at the top thereof; a frame mounted on said revolving connection and having a rack extending laterallytherefrom forreceiving folded canvas, a part extending from said base member beneath said plank at opposite ends of said base member to prevent tipping and toppling of the device under the weight of canvas disposed on said rack, regardless of the direction in which the rack is faced.

JOSEPH L. KROEGER. WILLIAM T. GOFF. 

